Crank removal

[Parrot of Doom]

I have all the tools imaginable for my road bike, the trouble is that things have changed over the years and I'm having to buy new tools for new components. So, apart from the allen key, is this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

..the only tool I'd require to remvoe my Deore XT Hollowtech crank, so that I can clean it out and regrease it?

Makes me sick, I've spent a fortune over the years on quality tools and they're all obselete

[Beyond Rational]

To remove HollowTechII, the above tool(s) is what you need, although you would not have to remove the bottom bracket to regrease it, so for that job you'd only need the crank install tool...and some would argue that you can remove this with a screwdriver/knife/finger grip.

[PomBstard]

Beyond Rational said:

...although you would not have to remove the bottom bracket to regrease it...

Tell me more! I've managed to change the crank and (Hollowtech) BB on one of my bikes but still struggle with greasing the BB...

Cheers

[Parrot of Doom]

So just the tool to remove the crank arms, yes? I've never operated on a hollowtech BB. I fancied doing this, with the Park tool:

http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/fettling/hollow...

Seriously, the amount of st I'm riding through right now, the bike comes back more black than white

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Sunday 25th January 23:35

[lingus75]

Re-greasing BB? I thought 99% of BB's made this century were sealed units?

[PomBstard]

By regreasing BB, I mean lubing to eliminate creaking - any clues for the simple way/man?

[Parrot of Doom]

lingus75 said:

Re-greasing BB? I thought 99% of BB's made this century were sealed units?

I've not once seen a sealed unit that didn't let water and grime in eventually.

[Rico]

Hollowtech II cranks have a BB like this:



So with the tool posted above, use the spanner end to remove the BB cups and clean to your heart's content. They're a sealed unit I think and generally people don't do DIY maintenance on them.

Then the crank is a two piece, so loosen allen key bolts on the non-drive side, unscrew the little end cap either with fingers or the other end of the tool, then take off non-drive side, push crank through and thats it removed. Then grease the axle and put threadlock on the other end.

My XTs don't creek and never have (jinxed it now though...) so the above should sort any issue.

Edited by Rico on Monday 26th January 10:48

[Rico]

Haven't watched all the way through, but this vid should show it all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WgPTPkPEQw&fea...

YouTube is DAMN good for how-to vids for bike maintenance.

[LRdriver II]

Creaking can be due to not enough grease on BB cup threads (and proper torque when tightening them), or incorrect preload on non drive side or incorrect torque when tightening nondrive side allan bolts.

The external bearings are non maintanance and shimano dont want you to pull them apart.

[LRdriver II]

Oh yea..
remember how many spacers sit in BB (between cups and shell) when you pull them off.. they are also handed.


If anything, yu can find the shimano PDF files on their website with all the instructions you would get if bought the parts by them selves.

[Beyond Rational]

PomBstard said:

Beyond Rational said:

...although you would not have to remove the bottom bracket to regrease it...

Tell me more! I've managed to change the crank and (Hollowtech) BB on one of my bikes but still struggle with greasing the BB...

Cheers

On each cup, the front face should be a circle of black plastic with "do not disassemble" or something similar. Prise these off and you can flush the dirt and grime out of the bearing and renew the grease etc. If the bearings are running really rough, you would have to remove the cups from the bike and soak them petrol overnight.

LRdriver II said:

The external bearings are non maintanance and shimano dont want you to pull them apart.

So far, it has done them no harm, the outer cover is only a push fit, I've saved at least the cost of one set so far.

Edited by Beyond Rational on Monday 26th January 13:35

[Parrot of Doom]

That's my line of thinking. Shimano haven't put 'do not disassemble' on anything because you may damage it - they've done it so you'll be tempted to just replace it.

If someone put it together, it can usually come apart Just so long as there aren't any single-use clips or anything.

The reason I'm asking about all this is that when spinning freely (no chain), I can feel a faint 'hum' through the crank. I reckon it's dirt in there.

[Beyond Rational]

I had to do this job this afternoon, so I took a photograph to show the parts

The two rings in the middle of the photograph are the parts to remove in order to clean the bearing. Give the bearing a good soak and rock back and forth if siezed, it should come free after a bit.

I'd better stop before I become like Toptune!

Edited by Beyond Rational on Sunday 15th March 15:41